Escalade legislation slated to go before tribal lawmakers this fall

Navajo Council Delegate Benjamin Bennett, center, speaks during an October 2016 committee hearing about legislation he introduced that would pave the way for the Grand Canyon Escalade project. He was joined by representatives of Confluence Partners, the developer on the project, including Albert Hale, left, and Lamar Whitmer, right. /Emery Cowan

By Emery Cowan | Arizona Daily Sun

After months of winding its way through legislative committees where it received scant support from tribal lawmakers, a bill that would allow for a major tourism development on the Grand Canyon’s east rim could go before the Navajo Nation Council in October.

The legislation would withdraw Navajo land for the development of the Grand Canyon Escalade project that includes a gondola tramway to the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers as well as motels, restaurants and a Navajoland Discover Center on the canyon rim.

Since it was introduced in August 2016, the legislation has been considered by four committees of council delegates, three of which voted it down. The other one tabled the bill.

Those votes have no bearing on the bill’s fate before the entire council.